Welcome
Sourcing a designer and embarking on a large scale design project can be daunting, costly, and time-consuming. With the right team and the right process it can also be fun and enlightening.
Having spent many years project-managing similar work for large organisations at a senior level, I understand how to support you to achieve a successful outcome, and - almost more importantly - run it smoothly.
This page includes all the information you need to make sure you are prepared and know what will be involved. Take your time to read through everything and watch the tutorial video as they will all let you know what you will need to consider at this stage of scoping.
If you need anything at all please feel free to email me or pick up the phone, I will always get back to you in 1-2 working days unless I've let you know otherwise.
Please bear in mind I also expect you to reply in the same timeframe so we can keep the project on track!
Let me know if you have any special circumstances which mean you won't be available, it makes a huge difference to the finishing line.
Looking forward to the next stage,
Cat
The Design Process & Elements
CONSULTATION
1
Now we have spoken and I have an idea of what you are looking to achieve, it’s time to get more specific so I can set aside the right time for the scoping, design and build, and can give you a really accurate quote.
PROPOSAL
2
Once I know the size and type of site, the elements required, and how many people will be involved, I’ll send a custom proposal with project outlines and costs, my availability, along with an agreement and invoice.
PROJECT SCOPING TIME
3
Before I can produce a solution-focussed site, you will need to gather examples and inspiration, fill in a detailed design questionnaire and provide your content before we get started.
BRANDING
4
If you have chosen to have me create or refresh your brand, I’ll get to work on your mood board, colour palette and fonts.
If you have a full brand that works for you this is the stage to pass me all the details.
COPYWRITING & EDITING
5
I only build sites with professionally written copy, I can do this for you as I’m trained and experienced in writing B2B & B2C content, or you can pass me your copywriters’ website copy and I will edit and revise it to fit your new site structure.
WEBSITE
6
I will design and build a homepage for you, and when we’ve gone through it and you are happy I then get on with the rest of the pages for you.
You will get a minimum of 1 revision, and you can add more at cost if you would like them.
LAUNCH
7
Once we’ve completed the process and fulfilled any revisions, and you are completely happy with all the elements, you make your final payment and I will send you all your files, set your site live, and we are launched.
EXTRA BONUS ROUND
8
If you have added any bonuses to your project such as SEO, connecting up your email platform, digital marketing or any other optional extras, this is when I get these all done for you too.
Managing Our Project…
The Checklist
It’s important you know what your involvement is from the get go, so you can make sure you have everything ready and can accommodate the time in your diary.
Here’s what I need from you before I can get started…
Create your inspiration board
On Pinterest or a similar tool, create a private board with inspiration for your brand and/or site, including: a minimum of 5 logos, 5 colour palettes, 5 patterns and 5 website designs, as well as share 5 competitors sites and what you find compelling and feel doesn’t work.
If you get stuck, feel free to pin from my design boards.
When you've filled your board, go through your pins and leave comments on your favourites stating what you like about them. This is really important - there can be many different elements in an image or site so I will need to understand which one is speaking to you.
Fill out your design workbook
You will be sent a form to fill in asking in-depth questions about your brand, your values and want you want from the design project.
You can go back and edit this at any time before we get started so take your time and answer in as much detail as possible.
Upload your website content to Asana
I need you to upload your website text & images to Asana at least 1 week before your project starts (I will send a reminder just in case you forget!).
The website copy document should include headings and button text, and clearly outline where things should go. I provide you with a template to make this as straightforward as possible.
Project Scoping - no stone unturned!
It’s vital that I have as much detail of what you want to achieve, the good the bad and the possibly ugly details of any blocks to the process, as this allows me to accurately quote for you. If you have a large team who all need to have input into content, structure, design, or functionality that can be a huge help to get lots of content and direction, but it can also slow things down as there are many opinions to gather. You may need a lot of content to be imported from your existing site, you may have several large projects on at once and so sign off and approvals will need extra time.
If there is something that we find down the line that will affect the estimated cost, I will always let you know before going ahead.
FAQs
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I work with service-based businesses providing them with strategy, consultancy, facilitation, digital design and integration.
The one constant in my client base, is that they provide a powerful service and have the testimonials to show it.
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I quote on a project basis as all projects are different and require different things! For instance you might need copywriting or need your site completed for a tight deadline which changes the quote.
Once you have decided what you’d like to include in your package and how I can best help your business, I’ll send a proposal with some options for working together.
If we find there is a change or additional work through the project, I will always flag this with you and discuss options.
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I require a deposit to confirm the project and my time. This can be 25% of the anticipated project cost, or the costs can be split over 6 months, with the first payment acting as the deposit.
I appreciate that sometimes finance departments have long lead times on their payment terms, I’m happy to accomodate this once the deposit payment has been received.
I can provide purchase orders, I am VAT registered and itemise my quotes including VAT
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I predominantly design and build in Squarespace because it is such a well designed platform to hand over to my clients to manage. Sometimes an alternative platform is a more suitable fit with a business, so I also love to create in Shopify and Showit.
I don’t work with Wordpress because it’s not suitable for my clients to manage themselves, but I can recommend some amazing friends that do!
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A clear idea of the problems you are wanting to solve is the best place to start.
Practically speaking you will need a domain and certain types of content, but I will help you with all of this, as I build this into my process and how I will work with you.
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I include lots of optional extras in my quotes to allow you to choose a package that suits your budget and needs, and so you can see a breakdown of how much the elements are.
This could be sourcing stock photography, helping you find a photographer, refreshing or building on an existing brand, copywriting, SEO, integrating your email marketing or course platform, setting up a CRM.
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I aim to launch your website a maximum of 8-12 weeks after I have received all your content. This will of course be extended for a larger site or additional functionality.
In my experience it is often the delay in feedback and client response that can hold up web projects, so I always provide clear timelines and expectations for feedback and responses to mitigate this as much as possible.
If you add branding or copywriting this will add a week or two.
If you add SEO or integrations, these are done after the new site is published.
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My design slots are usually booked a month or two in advance, and I hold some space for smaller integration projects too, but if you have a strict deadline like a service launch or marketing plan, get in touch and I will see what I can do.
So, What Next?
To provide you with an accurate quote I will need to understand;
Which elements you would like to include in your site? A blog for boosted SEO and authority, a sign-up form for newsletter subscribers, a scheduler to book calls?
Who will be providing answers to the business and website questionnaire, and who will be the project lead and act as the final decision maker? That will cover your business goals, sticking points, your budget, preferences and requirements.
As well as the digital arts, I also help my clients strategise and map out their goals in a way that considers their busyness as much as their business. I provide solutions to issues you are facing in your processes and systems.
And I might not be the right fit for you, that’s okay, I can recommend other amazing people to help you out too.
As soon as I have the answers to the questions above I will send you over a custom proposal with some options for working together, the investment, dates for your diary, and we can get you booked in.
I’d love to be onboard.